used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Never had they seen such bright lights, so high a ceiling, so many splendid decorations.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE HALL OF PARENTS The children arose and stood in their places breathlessly when that scene was revealed to them.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading There was not a single parent in sight, it is true; but this did not disturb their joy, since it was plain that any number of parents might be near by, waiting for a wand to be waved, or a wish to be made.
inflected form of “arise” — come into existence; take on form or shape
From this reading THE HALL OF PARENTS The children arose and stood in their places breathlessly when that scene was revealed to them.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading There was not a single parent in sight, it is true; but this did not disturb their joy, since it was plain that any number of parents might be near by, waiting for a wand to be waved, or a wish to be made.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading On the far side of the Hall there was a great semicircle of painted curtains, like those in a theater, with only narrow spaces between them.
breathlesslyadverbUS /ˈbreθləsli/
in a breathless manner
From this reading THE HALL OF PARENTS The children arose and stood in their places breathlessly when that scene was revealed to them.
emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts
From this reading Never had they seen such bright lights, so high a ceiling, so many splendid decorations.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading There was not a single parent in sight, it is true; but this did not disturb their joy, since it was plain that any number of parents might be near by, waiting for a wand to be waved, or a wish to be made.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading There was not a single parent in sight, it is true; but this did not disturb their joy, since it was plain that any number of parents might be near by, waiting for a wand to be waved, or a wish to be made.
ceilingnounUS /ˈsiːlɪŋ/
the overhead upper surface of a covered space
From this reading Never had they seen such bright lights, so high a ceiling, so many splendid decorations.
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading THE HALL OF PARENTS The children arose and stood in their places breathlessly when that scene was revealed to them.
curtainsnounUS /ˈkɜːrtənz/
plural of “curtain” — hanging cloth used as a blind (especially for a window)
From this reading On the far side of the Hall there was a great semicircle of painted curtains, like those in a theater, with only narrow spaces between them.
decorationsnounUS /ˌdekərˈeɪʃənz/
plural of “decoration” — something used to beautify
From this reading Never had they seen such bright lights, so high a ceiling, so many splendid decorations.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading There was not a single parent in sight, it is true; but this did not disturb their joy, since it was plain that any number of parents might be near by, waiting for a wand to be waved, or a wish to be made.
disturbverbUS /dɪˈstɜːrb/
move deeply
From this reading There was not a single parent in sight, it is true; but this did not disturb their joy, since it was plain that any number of parents might be near by, waiting for a wand to be waved, or a wish to be made.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading On the far side of the Hall there was a great semicircle of painted curtains, like those in a theater, with only narrow spaces between them.
plural of “figure” — a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading On these curtains were painted scenes and figures of men and women.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading There was not a single parent in sight, it is true; but this did not disturb their joy, since it was plain that any number of parents might be near by, waiting for a wand to be waved, or a wish to be made.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading On the far side of the Hall there was a great semicircle of painted curtains, like those in a theater, with only narrow spaces between them.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Never had they seen such bright lights, so high a ceiling, so many splendid decorations.
an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading THE HALL OF PARENTS The children arose and stood in their places breathlessly when that scene was revealed to them.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading Never had they seen such bright lights, so high a ceiling, so many splendid decorations.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE HALL OF PARENTS The children arose and stood in their places breathlessly when that scene was revealed to them.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There was not a single parent in sight, it is true; but this did not disturb their joy, since it was plain that any number of parents might be near by, waiting for a wand to be waved, or a wish to be made.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading There was not a single parent in sight, it is true; but this did not disturb their joy, since it was plain that any number of parents might be near by, waiting for a wand to be waved, or a wish to be made.
the emotion of great happiness
From this reading There was not a single parent in sight, it is true; but this did not disturb their joy, since it was plain that any number of parents might be near by, waiting for a wand to be waved, or a wish to be made.
plural of “light” — (physics) electromagnetic radiation that can produce a visual sensation
From this reading Never had they seen such bright lights, so high a ceiling, so many splendid decorations.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading On the far side of the Hall there was a great semicircle of painted curtains, like those in a theater, with only narrow spaces between them.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading There was not a single parent in sight, it is true; but this did not disturb their joy, since it was plain that any number of parents might be near by, waiting for a wand to be waved, or a wish to be made.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading Never had they seen such bright lights, so high a ceiling, so many splendid decorations.
the force of workers available
From this reading On these curtains were painted scenes and figures of men and women.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading There was not a single parent in sight, it is true; but this did not disturb their joy, since it was plain that any number of parents might be near by, waiting for a wand to be waved, or a wish to be made.
make or become more narrow or restricted
From this reading On the far side of the Hall there was a great semicircle of painted curtains, like those in a theater, with only narrow spaces between them.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading There was not a single parent in sight, it is true; but this did not disturb their joy, since it was plain that any number of parents might be near by, waiting for a wand to be waved, or a wish to be made.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading Never had they seen such bright lights, so high a ceiling, so many splendid decorations.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading There was not a single parent in sight, it is true; but this did not disturb their joy, since it was plain that any number of parents might be near by, waiting for a wand to be waved, or a wish to be made.
the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals
From this reading There was not a single parent in sight, it is true; but this did not disturb their joy, since it was plain that any number of parents might be near by, waiting for a wand to be waved, or a wish to be made.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE HALL OF PARENTS The children arose and stood in their places breathlessly when that scene was revealed to them.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On the far side of the Hall there was a great semicircle of painted curtains, like those in a theater, with only narrow spaces between them.
and nothing more
From this reading On the far side of the Hall there was a great semicircle of painted curtains, like those in a theater, with only narrow spaces between them.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading There was not a single parent in sight, it is true; but this did not disturb their joy, since it was plain that any number of parents might be near by, waiting for a wand to be waved, or a wish to be made.
coated with paint
From this reading On the far side of the Hall there was a great semicircle of painted curtains, like those in a theater, with only narrow spaces between them.
parentnounUS /ˈperənt/
a father or mother; one who begets or one who gives birth to or nurtures and raises a child; a relative who plays the role of guardian
From this reading There was not a single parent in sight, it is true; but this did not disturb their joy, since it was plain that any number of parents might be near by, waiting for a wand to be waved, or a wish to be made.
plural of “parent” — a father or mother; one who begets or one who gives birth to or nurtures and raises a child; a relative who plays the role of guardian
From this reading THE HALL OF PARENTS The children arose and stood in their places breathlessly when that scene was revealed to them.
plural of “place” — a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading THE HALL OF PARENTS The children arose and stood in their places breathlessly when that scene was revealed to them.
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading There was not a single parent in sight, it is true; but this did not disturb their joy, since it was plain that any number of parents might be near by, waiting for a wand to be waved, or a wish to be made.
past form of “reveal” — make visible
From this reading THE HALL OF PARENTS The children arose and stood in their places breathlessly when that scene was revealed to them.
the place where some action occurs
From this reading THE HALL OF PARENTS The children arose and stood in their places breathlessly when that scene was revealed to them.
plural of “scene” — the place where some action occurs
From this reading On these curtains were painted scenes and figures of men and women.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Never had they seen such bright lights, so high a ceiling, so many splendid decorations.
semicirclenoun
a plane figure with the shape of half a circle
From this reading On the far side of the Hall there was a great semicircle of painted curtains, like those in a theater, with only narrow spaces between them.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading On the far side of the Hall there was a great semicircle of painted curtains, like those in a theater, with only narrow spaces between them.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading There was not a single parent in sight, it is true; but this did not disturb their joy, since it was plain that any number of parents might be near by, waiting for a wand to be waved, or a wish to be made.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading There was not a single parent in sight, it is true; but this did not disturb their joy, since it was plain that any number of parents might be near by, waiting for a wand to be waved, or a wish to be made.
being or characteristic of a single thing or person
From this reading There was not a single parent in sight, it is true; but this did not disturb their joy, since it was plain that any number of parents might be near by, waiting for a wand to be waved, or a wish to be made.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Never had they seen such bright lights, so high a ceiling, so many splendid decorations.
spacesnounUS /ˈspeɪsəz/
plural of “space” — the unlimited expanse in which everything is located
From this reading On the far side of the Hall there was a great semicircle of painted curtains, like those in a theater, with only narrow spaces between them.
having great beauty and splendor
From this reading Never had they seen such bright lights, so high a ceiling, so many splendid decorations.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading THE HALL OF PARENTS The children arose and stood in their places breathlessly when that scene was revealed to them.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Never had they seen such bright lights, so high a ceiling, so many splendid decorations.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THE HALL OF PARENTS The children arose and stood in their places breathlessly when that scene was revealed to them.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE HALL OF PARENTS The children arose and stood in their places breathlessly when that scene was revealed to them.
theaternounUS /ˈθiːətər/
a building where theatrical performances or motion-picture shows can be presented
From this reading On the far side of the Hall there was a great semicircle of painted curtains, like those in a theater, with only narrow spaces between them.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading THE HALL OF PARENTS The children arose and stood in their places breathlessly when that scene was revealed to them.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading THE HALL OF PARENTS The children arose and stood in their places breathlessly when that scene was revealed to them.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was not a single parent in sight, it is true; but this did not disturb their joy, since it was plain that any number of parents might be near by, waiting for a wand to be waved, or a wish to be made.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading On these curtains were painted scenes and figures of men and women.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Never had they seen such bright lights, so high a ceiling, so many splendid decorations.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading There was not a single parent in sight, it is true; but this did not disturb their joy, since it was plain that any number of parents might be near by, waiting for a wand to be waved, or a wish to be made.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading On the far side of the Hall there was a great semicircle of painted curtains, like those in a theater, with only narrow spaces between them.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE HALL OF PARENTS The children arose and stood in their places breathlessly when that scene was revealed to them.
consistent with fact or reality; not false
From this reading There was not a single parent in sight, it is true; but this did not disturb their joy, since it was plain that any number of parents might be near by, waiting for a wand to be waved, or a wish to be made.
the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)
From this reading There was not a single parent in sight, it is true; but this did not disturb their joy, since it was plain that any number of parents might be near by, waiting for a wand to be waved, or a wish to be made.
wandnounUS /wɑːnd/
a rod used by a magician or water diviner
From this reading There was not a single parent in sight, it is true; but this did not disturb their joy, since it was plain that any number of parents might be near by, waiting for a wand to be waved, or a wish to be made.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE HALL OF PARENTS The children arose and stood in their places breathlessly when that scene was revealed to them.
past form of “wave” — signal with the hands or nod
From this reading There was not a single parent in sight, it is true; but this did not disturb their joy, since it was plain that any number of parents might be near by, waiting for a wand to be waved, or a wish to be made.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading On these curtains were painted scenes and figures of men and women.
at the time that
From this reading THE HALL OF PARENTS The children arose and stood in their places breathlessly when that scene was revealed to them.
hope for; have a wish
From this reading There was not a single parent in sight, it is true; but this did not disturb their joy, since it was plain that any number of parents might be near by, waiting for a wand to be waved, or a wish to be made.
in the company of; together with
From this reading On the far side of the Hall there was a great semicircle of painted curtains, like those in a theater, with only narrow spaces between them.
plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading On these curtains were painted scenes and figures of men and women.
